UM Facts

History

Chartered by the Mississippi Legislature in 1844, The University of Mississippi opened its doors to 80 students in 1848. Visit the Ole Miss Newsdesk for a more in-depth history.

Campus

Ole Miss is located in the rolling hills of north Mississippi about 80 miles south of Memphis, Tennessee. The historic, wooded campus encompasses nearly 1,000 acres and includes 220 major buildings. The Lyceum is the institutional landmark and is the inspiration for the university’s logo. The university also operates campuses at the DeSoto Center in Southaven, the Advanced Education Center in Tupelo and The University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.

Enrollment

Total fall 2007 enrollment on all The University of Mississippi’s campuses, including The University of Mississippi Medical Center, was 17,323. Sixty-nine percent of all students were from Mississippi, and 19 percent of students were minorities.

Finances

(June 30, 2007, Figures)

Operating Budget $1.4 billion

Total Endowment $495 million

Payroll $607 million

Sponsored Research $128 million

Financial Aid $133.6 million

Libraries

The University of Mississippi libraries house nearly 1.3 million volumes and more than 12,392 current periodicals and serial subscriptions. They also provide access to more than 140 electronic databases and more than 27,000 electronic journals. The J.D. Williams Library boasts several noteworthy features: the Hall of Mississippi Writers, William Faulkner Room, James Meredith’s papers, world-renowned Music/Blues Archive and the national library of the accountancy profession.

Technology

Web-based services provide instant access to vital information that enables students to apply for admission, register for classes, check grades, pay bills and submit class assignments online. Students and faculty have access to millions of library materials via the Internet. Each residence hall room is connected to the university’s computer network, and many public areas on campus provide wireless access.

Expenses

Tuition and Fees (in-state resident) - $5,106

Tuition and Fees (out-of-state) - $12,468

Room and Board - $7,778 (estimated)

Personal - $1,880 (estimated)

Books and Supplies - $1,200 (estimated)

Transportation - $2,474 (estimated)

Total for Mississippi Resident - $18,438

Research

External funding for research, service and education projects on Oxford and Jackson campuses was $128 million last year. The Oxford campus is home to more than 30 research centers with exceptional strengths in acoustics, business, computer science, engineering, law, pharmacy and Southern studies. The university also is developing plans for phase one of a 100-acre research park adjacent to the main campus.

Faculty & Staff

With 2,369 full-time employees on the Oxford campus, including 697 full-time faculty, Ole Miss is the largest employer in Lafayette County. More than 83 percent of full-time faculty hold the highest degrees in their fields. The student-to-faculty ratio is 19:1.

Student Housing

Ole Miss has 12 traditional residence halls and two apartment complexes that house a total of 3,671 students. A limited number of apartments is available for upperclass and graduate students. Additional student housing is provided by the various sorority and fraternity organizations under the dean of students’ Office of Greek Life.

Athletics

With a long and storied history in intercollegiate athletics, the university competes at the highest level in 18 men’s and women’s sports. During the 2006-2007 season, 10 teams reached postseason play. The men’s tennis team won its sixth consecutive SEC West title, and the women’s basketball team advanced to the NCAA’s Elite Eight before falling to eventual national champion Tennessee.

Alumni

Nearly 110,436 living Ole Miss alumni and friends represent every state in the nation and 80 foreign countries. The University awards approximately 3,408 degrees annually; nearly 150,000 degrees have been awarded during its 160-year history.

Medical Center

The health sciences campus in Jackson houses schools of Medicine, Nursing, Health Related Professions, Dentistry and Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences; the University Hospitals and Health System; and the Rowland Medical Library. The Medical Center employs 7,500 people, including 858 faculty. UMMC, where 100 percent of the faculty hold the highest degrees in their fields, is the second-largest employer in Hinds County.